64 comments

One of the credits to both the writing and acting on the show is how improvised and real it feels. Were the accents we saw make it to air fully scripted as such or did the actors play around with it? Furthermore, did you write in collaboration with the actors, giving lines to those who would put in the funniest performance? And finally, there’s Oscar’s line. How much of that was you, and how much Oscar?

Why isn’t Pam showing yet? She was showing a little in Koi Pond, but you could hardly see her baby belly last night! You’d think she’d feel the baby kicking or something by now! I almost forget that she’s pregnant sometimes!

LOVED the episode, one of my favorites in a long time. My only question was why keep Andy and Erin apart? It’s starting to feel very Jim and Pam. The shy/awkward thing is nice, but Andy was VERY bold with Angela, so it doesn’t seem to fit with Erin being a much less intimidating woman.

My question is if the idea for this episode started before The Office Clue game came along or was the tie-in advertising for the Clue game just a natural thing to do since the episode was very Clue-like?

Hey Danny! Welcome to our family… ;)
The episode was awesome! My husband had not laughed this much watching the show since season 3!
Oscar: that was pure gold!
Here’s my question:
When you wrote the episode, could you hear the characters talking with a southern accent in your head? Was it similar to the final result? What about Oscar?

I’m always curious how much the lead writer of an episode writes. What parts of the episode would you say you are most responsible for? What are some of the parts that other writers came up with? Thanks! Great job!

I’m actually interested in hearing about how the writers determine character progression, particularly Pam’s evolution. It’s been discussed here and elsewhere that she has noticeably changed from the quiet, unassuming girl she was in the earlier seasons. Is this a conscious decision? And how much time is spent on continuing to form the character in the writer’s room?

What a great episode! I have a couple of questions. 1. Did you write the cold open as well, if not who’s idea was it? Watching Dwight desperately try to counter his own attacks and eventually catch himself by surprise was priceless. 2. If there were actually a murderer working at Dunder Mifflin, who do you most medium suspect?

When do you get your next episode to write? Will B.J. Novak be writing one at some point?

Do you feel there is a new group of writers taking over compared to the days of Gene Stupnitsky, Lee Eisenberg, Michael Schur, Greg Daniels, Mindy Kaling, B.J. Novak, Paul Lieberstein, Jennifer Celotta. They still write, but not on as regular a basis. Now we are seeing more Aaron Sure, Brent Forrester, Charlie Grandy, yourself, Justin Spitzer, Warren Lieberstein, Halisted Sullivan. Is it hard to keep the continuity of tone and character?